India’s oil purchases from Russia have dropped significantly due to US threats: Chidambaram

Congress leader and former Indian Finance Minister P. Chidambaram.

Congress leader and former Indian Finance Minister P. Chidambaram has said that US pressure has played a role in India's decline in oil purchases from Russia. In the context of US President Donald Trump's recent statement, he said that India has the right to buy oil from wherever it can get oil conveniently. However, only the Ministry of External Affairs and the Prime Minister know whether there are any diplomatic or policy complications in importing oil from Venezuela.

Indian media outlet The Hindu says that P. Chidambaram made these comments in response to US President Donald Trump's comments on India's decline in oil imports from Russia. The former Indian Finance Minister said that he does not know what kind of understanding has been reached between the US and India in this regard. In his words, 'We should buy oil from wherever we get it, be it Russia, Venezuela or any other country.'

He also said that the reality is that India's oil purchases from Russia have significantly decreased due to the US threat. Now if it is possible to buy oil from Venezuela at a reasonable price, then there is no reason to object to it. However, he clarified that only the Ministry of External Affairs and the Prime Minister's Office know well whether there may be any complications in importing oil from Venezuela.

Earlier, Chidambaram reacted in a humorous tone to a comment by Trump on Sunday. At a post-budget press conference, a journalist asked him - why is Trump announcing from whom India will buy oil? Will he even decide from whom India can buy oil or not? In response, Chidambaram said, 'I am not Donald Trump's press secretary. Please ask me about India's budget.'

Earlier, Trump claimed that India has already reached an agreement to buy oil from Venezuela instead of Iran. Speaking to reporters on Air Force One on Saturday, Trump said, 'China can make a good deal for oil if they want. We have already reached the idea of ​​a deal. India is also coming forward and they will buy oil from Venezuela instead of Iran.' The Indian government has not officially responded to Trump's statement so far.